LS(1) LS(1)
NAME
ls, lc - list contents of directory
SYNOPSIS
ls [ -acdfilrstuFLR ] name ...
lc [ options ] name ...
DESCRIPTION
For each directory argument, ls lists the contents of the
directory; for each file argument, ls repeats its name and
any other information requested. The output is sorted
alphabetically by default. When no argument is given, the
current directory is listed. When several arguments are
given, the arguments are first sorted, but file arguments
appear before directories and their contents.
Lc is the same as ls, but prints the list in multiple
columns.
There are an unbelievable number of options:
-l List in long format, giving mode (see below), number of
links, owner, group, size in bytes, and time of last
modification for each file. Symbolic links are identi-
fied by a link count marked `L'; the link count is that
of the ultimate file. If the file is a special file
the size field will instead contain the major and minor
device numbers.
-d If argument is a directory, list its name, not its con-
tents.
-t Sort by time modified (latest first) instead of by
name, as is normal.
-L Under -l for each symbolic link give the immediate, not
the ultimate, link count and append the name pointed
to.
-a List all entries; usually and are suppressed.
-c Under -t sort by time of inode change; under -l print
time of inode change.
-f Force each argument to be interpreted as a directory
and list the name found in each slot. This option
turns off -l, -t, -s, and -r, and turns on -a; the
order is the order in which entries appear in the
directory.
LS(1) LS(1)
-F Mark directories with a trailing `/' and executable
files with a trailing `*'
-i Print i-number in first column of the report for each
file listed.
-r Reverse the order of sort to get reverse alphabetic or
oldest first as appropriate.
-R recursively list subdirectories encountered.
-s Give size in Kbytes for each entry.
-u Under -t sort by time of last access; under -l print
time of last access.
The mode printed under the -l option contains 11 characters
which are interpreted as follows: the first character is
d if the entry is a directory;
b if the entry is a block-type special file;
c if the entry is a character-type special file;
l if the entry is a symbolic link and option -L is in
effect;
- if the entry is a plain file.
The next 9 characters are interpreted as three sets of three
bits each. The first set refers to owner permissions; the
next to permissions to others in the same user-group; and
the last to all others. Within each set the three charac-
ters indicate permission respectively to read, to write, or
to execute the file as a program. For a directory, `exe-
cute' permission is interpreted to mean permission to search
the directory for a specified file. The permissions are
indicated as follows:
r if the file is readable;
w if the file is writable;
x if the file is executable;
- if the indicated permission is not granted.
The group-execute permission character is given as s if the
file has set-group-ID mode; likewise the user-execute per-
mission character is given as s if the file has set-user-ID
mode.
The last character of the mode (normally a blank) indicates
the type of concurrency control:
e if the file is set for exclusive access (1 writer or n
readers);
y if the file is set for synchronized access (1 writer
LS(1) LS(1)
and n readers);
FILES
SEE ALSO
stat(2)
BUGS
Option -s counts unwritten holes as if they were real data.